Helmet

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a helmet, in particular a protective helmet for emergency services or intervention forces. Said helmet comprises a dome ( 1 ), which is provided with internal padding and lateral convex sections ( 1   a ) in the ear regions for accommodating ear defender capsules ( 5 ). The dome ( 1 ) and the lateral convex sections ( 1   a ) in the ear regions consist preferably of a single deep-drawn titanium sheet.

The invention concerns a helmet, in particular a protective helmet foroperational services, comprising a helmet dome provided with internalpadding, wherein the helmet dome in the ear region has lateral outwardbulge portions for receiving ear defender capsules. Helmets of that kindare preferably used as police helmets and are intended to bebullet-proof to protect the user. Known helmet domes involve amulti-layer composite. The material used was in particular Kevlar whichhowever causes problems in the edge region of the helmet dome.

The object of the invention is to provide a helmet which is desirable inregard to bullet-proofness and weight.

In accordance with the invention that is achieved in that the helmetdome together with the lateral outward bulge portions in the ear regioncomprises a, preferably one-piece, deep-drawn titanium sheet.

The deep-drawn titanium sheet which is used in accordance with theinvention is distinguished by being of comparatively low weight andbeing highly bullet-proof. The one-piece deep-drawn production of thehelmet dome makes it possible to avoid welded seams which are criticalfrom the point of view of being bullet-proof and which are complicatedand expensive in terms of manufacture.

A preferred embodiment of the helmet according to the invention hascheek protection regions which are drawn forwardly from the lateraloutward bulge portions in the ear region. That provides that thebullet-proof characteristics are also improved when under fire from theside in the cheek region, in comparison with previous helmet structures.It is particularly desirable that the closed visor—seen from theside—covers the cheek protection region without any gap.

A variant of the invention provides that the ear defender capsules aremounted internally movably to the helmet dome. In that arrangement aspring can press the ear defender capsules against the head of the userin the condition of use. For fitting and removing the helmet it ispossible to provide a displacement device—most advantageously a strapwith which the ear defender capsules are movable away from the head ofthe user.

Further advantages and details of the invention will be described morefully with reference to the specific description hereinafter.

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic front view of an embodiment of a helmetaccording to the invention, wherein the visor mounting and the fixingscrew for the ear defender mask on the one hand and the displacementstrap for the ear defender capsules on the other hand are not shown,

FIG. 2 also shows a front view but with the pivotably mounted closedvisor,

FIG. 3 shows a side view with a closed visor,

FIG. 4 shows a side view with an open visor,

FIG. 5 shows a view in cross-section through the left-hand half of anembodiment of a helmet according to the invention, in which the eardefender capsule is moved towards the helmet dome by a displacementdevice, and

FIG. 6 shows a view in cross-section through an embodiment with a fabricliner.

The helmet shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 can be used in particular as aprotective helmet for operational or emergency services (for examplepolice).

In the ear region the helmet dome 1 has lateral outward bulge portions 1a which are provided for receiving ear defender capsules 5 which aredescribed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 5. The position ofthe ear defender capsules 5 is shown in broken line in FIG. 3.

According to the invention the helmet dome 1 together with the lateraloutward bulge portions 1 a in the ear region comprises a deep-drawntitanium sheet which is preferably in one piece. In the illustratedembodiment the helmet dome 1 is of a single-layer configuration andinvolves a sheet thickness of between 2 mm and 4 mm, preferably about 3mm. Those dimensions affords an optimum compromise betweenbullet-proofness on the one hand and weight on the other hand.

The helmet dome 1 can be free from welded seams by virtue of theone-piece, deep-drawn configuration of the titanium sheet.

Although in principle titanium alloys are also appropriate, it ispreferably provided that the helmet dome comprises pure titanium, withthe proportion of titanium being over 99%.

As in particular FIGS. 1 and 4 show, in the illustrated embodiment ofthe helmet according to the invention the helmet dome 1 is drawnforwardly on both sides, starting from the lateral outward bulgeportions 1 a in the ear region, to form cheek protection regions 1 b,wherein the two cheek protection regions 1 b are in one piece with theremainder of the helmet dome 1. That makes it possible to achieveincreased bullet-proofness from the side.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the helmet has apivotably mounted visor 2 which in the closed condition laterally coversthe foremost portion of the cheek protection regions 1 b, as can be seenin particular from FIG. 3. The visor 2 can be pivoted upwardly aboutpivot mountings 3 in per se known manner (see FIG. 4).

In accordance with a further preferred configuration of the inventionwhich is illustrated in FIG. 5, the ear defender capsules 5 are mountedmovably to the helmet dome 1. The illustrated embodiment has a springdevice which is formed by a leaf spring 4 and which carries the eardefender capsules 5. The leaf spring 4 is fixed at the top to the pivotmounting 4 for the visor 2 at the inside of the helmet dome 1 andcarries the ear defender capsules 5 in the region 6. The leaf spring 4is biased in the direction of the centre of the helmet (arrow 7).

In order to make it easier to put on and remove the helmet theembodiment of FIG. 5 has a displacement device 8 in the form of aflexible strap, which is passed around the lower edge 1 c of the helmetdome. The strap 8 is joined (for example riveted) to the leaf spring 4at the location 9. That connecting location can be covered by way of ashrink tube 10 in order to avoid injury due to the sharp-edged end ofthe spring. Near the free end 8 a of the strap 8 a loop-like or eye-likeholding device 9 is joined to the strap by way of which the strap can beengaged into the groove 10 of the holder 11. In that way the eardefender capsule 5 can be moved against the force of the leaf spring 4relative to the helmet dome 1 into the fitting and removal positionshown in FIG. 5, and held in that position. When the strap 8 isdisengaged from the holder 11 the leaf spring 4 urges the ear defendercapsules 5 in the direction of the arrow 7 snugly against the ear regionof the person wearing the helmet. The holder 11 can serve at the sametime as a holder for a breathing mask.

FIG. 6 diagrammatically shows a further embodiment in which at least onefabric liner of a high-strength ballistic fabric is arranged at theinside of the helmet dome 1 to enhance the ballistic resistance. Thatcan involve for example aramid fabric (Kevlar or Twaron) and/or PEfabric and/or UD material. The term UD material is used to denote aunidirectional material in which the individual fibres are not woven butare fixed in a carrier material (matrix) parallel and cross-wise inmutually superposed relationship.

The fabric liner which can also be of a multi-layer configuration ispressed into the helmet dome or glued in place in pressure-less fashion.The join between the liners or between the fabric and the titanium ofthe helmet dome is made by means of resin or suitable adhesive. Thefabric liners can be tailored to adapt them to the shape of the helmetdome.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to theillustrated embodiments. It is also to be mentioned that the usualinternal padding has not been illustrated, for reasons of clarity of thedrawing.

1. A helmet comprising a helmet dome provided with internal padding,wherein the helmet dome in the ear region has lateral outward bulgeportions for receiving ear defender capsules, wherein said helmet dometogether with the lateral outward bulge portions in the ear regioncomprises a deep-drawn titanium sheet.
 2. A helmet according to claim 1wherein said helmet is a protective helmet for operational services. 3.A helmet according to claim 1 wherein said deep-drawn titanium sheet isa single piece sheet.
 4. A helmet according to claim 1 wherein thehelmet dome is of a single-layer configuration.
 5. A helmet according toclaim 1 wherein the sheet thickness of the titanium sheet of the helmetdome is between 2 mm and 4 mm.
 6. A helmet according to claim 5 whereinthe sheet thickness of the titanium sheet of the helmet dome is about 3mm.
 7. A helmet according to claim 1 wherein the helmet dome is free ofwelded seams.
 8. A helmet according to claim 1 wherein the helmet domeconsists of pure titanium.
 9. A helmet according to claim 1 wherein thehelmet dome is drawn forwardly at both sides starting from the lateraloutward bulge portions in the ear region to form cheek protectionregions, wherein the two cheek protection regions are in one piece withthe remainder of the helmet dome.
 10. A helmet according to claim 1wherein the helmet has a pivotably mounted visor.
 11. A helmet accordingto claim 10 wherein the visor in the closed condition laterally coversover the foremost portion of the cheek protection regions.
 12. A helmetcomprising a helmet dome provided with internal padding, wherein thehelmet dome in the ear region has lateral outward bulge portions forreceiving ear defender capsules, wherein the ear defender capsules aremounted movably to the helmet dome.
 13. A helmet according to claim 12wherein said helmet dome together with the lateral outward bulgeportions in the ear region comprises a deep-drawn titanium sheet.
 14. Ahelmet according to claim 12 wherein said helmet is a protective helmetfor operational services.
 15. A helmet according to claim 13 whereinsaid deep-drawn titanium sheet is a single piece sheet.
 16. A helmetaccording to claim 12 wherein each ear defender capsule is urgedinwardly away from the helmet dome by way of a spring device.
 17. Ahelmet according to claim 16 wherein said spring device is a leafspring.
 18. A helmet according to claim 12 wherein each ear defendercapsule is carried by the respective spring device which is fixed to thehelmet dome.
 19. A helmet according to claim 12 wherein there isprovided for each ear defender capsule a displacement device which ispreferably passed outwardly around the lower edge of the helmet dome andby way of which the position of the respective ear defender capsule isvariable relative to the helmet dome.
 20. A helmet according to claim 19wherein the displacement device operates against the force of the springdevice.
 21. A helmet according to claim 19 wherein said displacementdevice is formed by a strap which is fixed to the respective eardefender capsule or to the spring device and which can be fixed to theoutside of the helmet.
 22. A helmet according to claim 21 wherein saidstraps can be fixed to a holder on the outside of said helmet.
 23. Ahelmet according to claim 1 wherein at least one fabric liner isarranged at least region-wise on the inside of the helmet dome.
 24. Ahelmet according to claim 12 wherein at least one fabric liner isarranged at least region-wise on the inside of the helmet dome.
 25. Ahelmet according to claim 23 wherein said fabric liner is ahigh-strength ballistic fabric.
 26. A helmet according to claim 24wherein said fabric liner is a high-strength ballistic fabric.
 27. Ahelmet according to claim 23 wherein the fabric liner at least partiallycomprises materials, selected from the group aramid fabric, PE fabric,UD material or combinations thereof.
 28. A helmet according to claim 24wherein the fabric liner at least partially comprises materials,selected from the group aramid fabric, PE fabric, UD material orcombinations thereof .
 29. A helmet according to claim 23 wherein layersare glued to each other or the fabric liner is glued to the helmet dome.30. A helmet according to claim 24 wherein layers are glued to eachother or the fabric liner is glued to the helmet dome.